University of Texas at El Paso. Master of Science Program Mental Health Counseling PRACTICUM & INTERNSHIP HANDBOOK

University of Texas at El Paso Master of Science Program Mental Health Counseling PRACTICUM & INTERNSHIP HANDBOOK Revised 4/7/17

Contents Criminal Background Checks... 3 Professional Liability Insurance... 6 Practicum Placement Process and Timeline... 7 I. Practicum/Internship Goals and Competencies... 8 II. The Structure of Practicum and Internship... 8 III. Practicum/Internship Agency and Site Supervisor Guidelines... 12 IV. Practicum/Internship University Faculty Responsibilities... 14 V. Practicum/Internship Selection of Field Placement... 14 VI. Practicum/Internship Application, Documentation, and Evaluation Forms... 15 VII. Practicum/Internship Student Responsibilities... 18 VIII. Practicum/Internship Faculty Supervisor Responsibilities... 20 Appendix A - UTEP Graduate School Degree Plan... 22 Appendix B - Application for Mental Health Counseling Practicum Form... 24 Appendix C - Practicum/Internship Student Informed Consent Form... 26 Appendix D - Practicum/Internship Student Agreement Form... 29 Appendix E - Student Practicum/Internship Placement Agreement... 32 Appendix F - Practicum/Internship Supervisor Credential Form... 36 Appendix G - Practicum/Internship Weekly Hours Log... 39 Appendix H - Semester Summary Hours Log... 41 Appendix I - Practicum/Internship Supervision Hours Completion Form... 44 Appendix J - Clinical Mental Health Counseling Clinical Student Evaluation Form... 46 Appendix K - Student Evaluations of Site and Site Supervisor Form... 53 Appendix L - Student Evaluation of Faculty Supervisor and Group Supervision Form... 56 2

Criminal Background Checks Policy Effective Spring Semester 2016, comprehensive criminal background checks are required of all students applying for placement/enrollment in practicum/internship courses. Students who do not pass the background check requirements may be denied approval to be placed at practicum/internship sites and may be unable to complete Mental Health Counseling degree requirements. Rationale 1. Mental health care providers are entrusted with the health, safety and welfare of patients, have access to confidential and sensitive information and operate in settings that require the exercise of good judgment and ethical behavior. Thus, an assessment of a student s suitability to function in a clinical setting is imperative to promote the highest level of integrity in mental health care services. 2. Most mental health agencies/facilities are required to conduct background checks for security purposes on individuals who supervise care, render treatment, and provide services within or for the facility. 3. Field based clinical training are an essential element of the Mental Health Counseling curriculum. Students who cannot participate in clinical rotations due to criminal or other adverse activities that are revealed in a background check are unable to fulfill the requirements of a degree program. Therefore, it is in everyone's interest to resolve these issues prior to a commitment of resources by the College or the student. 4. An additional and important rationale for extending these requirements include compliance with UTEP policy (see UTEP Handbook of Operating Procedures, Section V, Chapter 12) that requires students who are in an educational program that requires assignment to a clinical health care facility to pass a criminal background check, including a sex offender registration check. Timing of the Background Check The UTEP required background check must be satisfactorily completed no more than 90 days prior to the expected date of beginning a placement at a clinical training site and at least 30 days prior to the first day of classes of the term in which enrollment in the Mental Health Counseling clinical training course (i.e. practicum/internship) ensues. An offer of placement at a site or enrollment in a clinical course will not be final until the completion of the background check is deemed favorable. A "HOLD" will be placed on student enrollment in clinical training courses until the background check clearance documentation is received or permission is granted by the Dean of the College of Education in consultation with the Department Chair or an appropriate designee. Individuals who do not give permission for UTEP to review the results of the background check will not be placed at a clinical training site and will be barred from enrollment in clinical training courses. 3

Identification of Vendors UTEP will designate the company (or companies) approved to do the background check. Results from any company or government entity other than those designated will not be accepted. Allocation of the Cost Students are required to pay the cost of the background check. Period of Validity The background checks will be honored for a five year period as long as the student has not had a break in enrollment in the clinical course training sequence. A break in enrollment is defined as non-attendance of one full semester (Fall or Spring or Summer) or more. However, a student whose attendance has been suspended due to lack of clinical space availability will not be considered as having a break in enrollment. A student on Leave of Absence is considered to be in continuous enrollment. A student who has a break in enrollment will be required to complete a new background check. Scope of Background Check The background check includes the following: a. Social security number validation/address history (nationwide) b. Crime database (nationwide) c. Sex offender registry (nationwide) d. County criminal records, all jurisdictions (nationwide) Deferred adjudications and pending cases are included in the criminal search section of the report. Student/Applicant Access to Background Check and Report The background check report provided by the vendor(s) will be available to the student online via a secure, individually password protected web page. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the student will be informed if any adverse decision is based on the report and provided with the name and contact information of the company that issued the report. Significant Findings in Background Check Report Students have the right to request that the vendor who performed the check re-verify that the background check is correct. Upon review of the background check, a determination will be made in consultation with a campus licensed law enforcement officer as selected by the UTEP Campus Chief of Police, whether to grant or deny the student continued enrollment or to refer the matter to a review panel appointed by the Dean in consultation with the Department Chair. The decision is based on the exclusion list provided by the health care facilities and known professional licensing requirements. The appointed panel will review the case and determine whether the student: 1) is prohibited from placement at a site and enrollment in the clinical training course; 2) is allowed placement at a site and enrollment in the clinical training course; or 3) is to be interviewed to determine appropriate action. Any student whose case is referred to the 4

review panel may submit information to the panel to contest or explain the negative contents of their background check. In reviewing the background check and any supplementary information submitted, the following factors may be considered: the nature and seriousness of the offense or event, the circumstances surrounding the offense or event, the relationship between the duties to be performed as part of the educational program and the offense committed, the age of the person when the offense or event occurred, whether the offense or event was an isolated or repeated incident, the length of time that has passed since the offense or event, past employment and history of academic or disciplinary misconduct, evidence of successful rehabilitation, and the accuracy of the information provided by the student application materials, Disclosure Forms or other materials. If the background check uncovers a question which can be cleared by the applicant, placement at a site and enrollment in the clinical training courses can be deferred up to one year while the matter is resolved. However, the student may be granted permission to re-enroll in clinical training courses only if space is available. The decision to allow a student who has negative findings in their background check to be placed at a site and enrolled in the clinical training course is not a guarantee that any clinical training facility will permit the student to participate in clinical training at its facility, or that a state will accept the individual as a candidate for licensure. Appeal of Panel Decision Students or applicants who are denied placement and enrollment may appeal the decision to the Department Chair and Dean of the College Education. The decision of the Department Chair and Dean will be final and may not be appealed. Falsification of Information Falsification of information will result in immediate removal of approval for placement at a site and enrollment in clinical training courses and also in removal from the Mental Health Counseling degree program. Criminal Activity while Placed at a Site and Enrolled in Clinical Training Courses Criminal activity that occurs while a student is in attendance at the university may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal, and will be addressed through the university's academic or disciplinary policies. Confidentiality of Records Background check reports and all records pertaining to the results are considered confidential with restricted access. The results and records are subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act [FERPA] regulations. For additional information on FERPA please see http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html. Access to records and reports outside of the Department Chair, Mental Health Counseling Program Coordinator, Counseling Program Clinical Coordinator and an employee designated as backup (e.g. departmental administrative assistant) must be approved by 5

the Dean of the College of Education in consultation with the Department Chair or his/her designee, prior to granting access. Information contained in the reports/records will not be shared with facilities participating in the clinical rotations unless a legitimate need is demonstrated and approved by the Dean in consultation with the Department Chair or his/her designee. Recordkeeping Reports and related records (both electronic and paper media) are retained in a secure location and are maintained in the Department for the duration of the student's enrollment or until the applicant is removed from the Mental Health Counseling Program. The reports and records will be physically destroyed thereafter. Professional Liability Insurance All students placed at practicum/internship sites must acquire individual professional liability insurance. Liability insurance policies for students may be purchased through a private insurance company or may be purchased at a discount by joining a professional organization (e.g. Texas Counseling Association (TCA), American Counseling Association (ACA), etc.). 6

Practicum Placement Process and Timeline When Semester Prior to Beginning Practicum Deadline of 3 Months Prior to Beginning Practicum May 15 th for Fall Oct. 15 th for Spring Feb. 15 th for Summer Between 2-3 Months Prior to Beginning Practicum During Enrollment Period At the Time Site Tentatively Accepts Student During Orientation at Site and/or First Meeting with Site Supervisor First Meeting of EDPC 5371 Practicum Class What 1. Attend Orientation to Practicum/Internship 2. Receive and Read Practicum/Internship Handbook 3. Receive Site Supervisor Orientation Handbook Electronically Submit Following to Clinical Coordinator: 1. Application for Counseling Practicum Form 2. Practicum/Internship Student Informed Consent Form Receive Permission to: 1. Complete Background Check Required by Counseling Program 2. Apply to Approved Site 3. Follow Site Application Procedure 4. Set Up Interview 5. Attend Interview 6. Provide Site Supervisor a Copy of Site Supervisor Orientation Handbook at Interview 7. Purchase Professional Liability Insurance 1. Receive Clearance to Enroll from Advisor 2. Enroll in EDPC 5371 - Practicum Class Follow Through on Background Check Procedures Required by Agency and All Other Site Requirements for Placement Obtain Site Supervisor Signature on: 1. Student Practicum/Internship Placement Agreement Form 2. Practicum/Internship Supervisor Credential Form (attach Supervisor Resume) Make Copies of Forms for Personal File Submit Original Signed Forms: 1. Practicum/Internship Student Agreement Form* 2. Student Practicum/Internship Placement Agreement Form* 3. Practicum/Internship Supervisor Credential Form* (attach Supervisor Resume) *If there are no changes of site supervisor and the student continues at the same site for Internship, no new forms are required. Students are required to submit updated copies of each form any time there is a change in supervisor or site. 7

I. Practicum/Internship Goals and Competencies The Practicum and Internship field placements have been proposed and developed toward the goal of training and enhancing the competencies that are consistent with sound professional growth and the practice of professional mental health counseling. Practicum/Internship Goal: Knowledge, Development and Demonstration of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Skills and Practices Objectives: a. Develop and demonstrate foundational knowledge regarding the provision of mental health treatment services including treatment models, agency operations, and the principles of clinical mental health counseling b. Develop and demonstrate skills in addressing issues of diversity and providing advocacy c. Develop and demonstrate skills in clinical assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention Competencies Expected for these Objectives: a. Proficiency in developing counseling relationships, performing culturally competent counseling interventions, advocating for clients, and consulting with other professionals and systems b. Proficiency in performing intake interviews and mental status examinations, gathering biopsychosocial histories, assessing clinical information, documenting and reporting clinical information c. Proficiency in conceptualizing cases, developing treatment plans, applying evidenced based practices, strategies, and techniques and evaluating treatment outcomes for a variety of mental health issues II. The Structure of Practicum and Internship Practicum The Practicum is the first formal clinical field experience required by the Mental Health Counseling Program. It is designed to lead sequentially to the Internship. Practicum is offered during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters and the Internship is typically completed in the next two semesters following the Practicum semester. In Practicum the primary focus is to gain an initial field experience in direct service (e.g., individual and group counseling) as well as to acquaint the student with a wide variety of other professional activities conducted in clinical mental health settings. The Practicum should provide the student with a broad orientation to the clinical aspects of the mental health field, allow the student to learn how to interact with agency personnel and 8

community networks, initiate the student into a clinically supervised counseling experience, and prepare the student for the more intensive and demanding responsibilities of Internship which follows. The EDPC 5371 Counseling Practicum requires a semester long (approximately 15 weeks) placement at which time the student must complete a total of 100 clock hours under supervision. As part of this 100 clock hour requirement, the student must complete a minimum of 40 clock hours of direct service (i.e. face-to-face client contact) (The student must lead or co-lead a counseling or psychoeducational group during either the practicum or internship experience). The student is also expected to receive 1 hour per week of face to face individual or triadic clinical supervision by the Site Supervisor which is counted toward the indirect hours spent in other counseling-related activities. Other non-direct activities include agency functions such as agency group supervision meetings/case staffing, agency staff meetings, in-service training seminars, the agency orientation process, paperwork (case notes, progress notes, record keeping, report writing), observation of clinical work, interactions with agency personnel and networking. Supervision hours provided on campus (i.e. the EDPC 5371 Practicum class group supervision seminar and UTEP faculty supervision) also count toward non-direct clock hours. The student is expected to complete the total number of required direct service hours and non-direct hours during the span of weeks for the semester in which enrollment in EDPC 5371 Practicum occurs which is 15-16 weeks during the Fall and Spring Semesters and a minimum of 10 weeks during the Summer semester. The student may not begin accruing direct service hours before the first week of the EDPC 5371 - Practicum class, but may accrue up to 15 non-direct service hours for attending required agency orientations prior to the beginning of the first week of EDPC 5371 - Practicum class. The student may not begin the Internship I experience until the minimum of 40 clock hours of direct service and the total of 100 clock hours required for Practicum are successfully completed according to the expectations of the EDPC 5371 Practicum syllabus. If a student is in good standing and has successfully completed all the required assignments of the EDPC 5371 Practicum class, the student with a deficit in the required hours will receive a grade of P ( in progress ) for EDPC 5371 which will be changed to a grade of S once the hours are accrued to make up the deficit. If the student has failed to meet one or more of the academic/clinical performance requirements of the EDPC 5371 Practicum course, a grade of U or a grade of I will be assigned. If the grade of I is received, the student may be denied permission to continue with the Internship I experience until those academic/clinical requirements are satisfactorily completed. If a grade of U is received, the student would have to request permission to re-take EDPC 5371 9

which must be successfully completed before enrolling in Internship I. Permission to enroll in EDPC 5371 again may be denied depending on the nature of the reasons for receiving a grade of U. The student may not carry over hours from Practicum into Internship I. However, if Practicum and Internship I are being completed in consecutive semesters, the student who has successfully completed Practicum may accrue up to 50 nondirect and/or direct clock hours toward the Internship I hours requirements during the interim period between the last day of class of the Practicum semester and the beginning of the first week of class of the Internship I semester. The student who accrues hours during the interim period must continue to receive supervision from the Site Supervisor during the interim period. Students must be officially enrolled in EDPC 5371 Practicum, EDPC 5372- Internship I, or EDPC 5373 Internship II to be able to accrue clock hours to meet the requirements of these courses. Internship Internship I and Internship II are the second phase of the clinical field experience. Students must successfully complete the requirements for Practicum to be allowed to continue on into Internship which is designed to immediately follow the Practicum. EDPC 5372 Counseling Internship I and EDPC 5373 Counseling Internship II each require a semester long (approximately 15 weeks) placement. The student must complete a total of 300 clock-hours under supervision during each internship semester for a total of 600 hours. As part of this 600 clock-hour requirement, the student must complete a minimum of 240 clock-hours of direct service (i.e. 120 clock hours of face-to-face client contact each semester of Internship). (The student must lead or co-lead a counseling or psychoeducational group during either the practicum or internship experience). Note that students may complete more than the minimum required hours of direct contact which will decrease the required number of indirect counseling-related activity hours. The student is also expected to receive 1 hour per week of face to face individual or triadic clinical supervision by the Site Supervisor. Indirect counseling-related activities include the expected 1 hour per week of face to face individual or triadic clinical supervision by the student s Site Supervisor. Other agency functions such as agency group supervision meetings/case staffing, agency staff meetings, in-service training seminars, paperwork (e.g. case notes, progress notes, record keeping, and report writing), observation of clinical work, interactions with agency personnel and networking count toward indirect counseling-related activities. Supervision hours provided on campus (i.e. the EDPC 5372 Internship I class group supervision seminar and the EDPC 5373 Internship II class group supervision seminar and UTEP faculty supervision) also count toward non-direct clock hours. 10

The student is expected to complete the total number of required direct service hours and non-direct hours during the span of weeks for the semester in which enrollment in EDPC 5372 Internship I occurs which is 15-16 weeks during the Fall and Spring Semesters and a minimum of 10 weeks during the Summer semester. If Practicum and Internship I are not being completed in consecutive semesters, the student may not begin accruing direct service hours before the first week of the EDPC 5372 Internship I class, but may accrue up to 15 non-direct service hours for attending required agency orientations prior to the beginning of the first week of EDPC 5372 Internship I class. If a student is in good standing and has successfully completed all the required assignments of the EDPC 5372 Internship I class, but has not completed the 120 clock hours of direct service and/or the total of 300 clock hours required for EDPC 5372, the student may be allowed to enroll in and begin the Internship II experience with the approval of the Clinical Coordinator, the Mental Health Program Coordinator, or the Department Chair if it is deemed likely that the student will be able to make up the deficit of accrued hours in a timely manner. A grade of P ( in progress ) will be submitted for EDPC 5372 which will be changed to a grade of S once the hours are accrued to make up the deficit. If the student has failed to meet one or more of the academic/clinical performance requirements of the EDPC 5372 Internship I course, a grade of U or a grade of I will be assigned. If the grade of I is received, the student may be denied permission to continue with the Internship II experience until those academic/clinical requirements are satisfactorily completed. If a grade of U is received, the student would have to request permission to re-take EDPC 5372 which must be successfully completed before enrolling in Internship II. Permission to enroll in EDPC 5372 again may be denied depending on the nature of the reasons for receiving a grade of U. In the event the student accrues more than 300 hours during the Internship I semester, up to 50 hours from Internship I may be carried over into Internship II even if Internship I and Internship II are not being completed during consecutive semesters. In addition, if Internship I and Internship II are being completed during consecutive semesters, the student may accrue up to 50 clock hours toward the Internship II hours requirements during the interim period between the last day of class of the Internship I semester and the beginning of the first week of classes of the Internship II semester. The student who accrues hours during the interim period must continue to receive supervision from the Site Supervisor during the interim period. Even though a student may complete the required minimum 240 hours of direct service and the 600 total hours required for the two semesters of Internship before the last week of class for the Internship II semester, the student is expected to continue to provide services at the Internship site, receive supervision, and attend EDPC 5373 Internship II class until the semester ends. 11

Students must be officially enrolled in EDPC 5371 Practicum, EDPC 5372- Internship I, or EDPC 5373 Internship II to be able to accrue clock hours to meet the requirements of these courses. Supervision Within the framework of the Practicum and Internship clock-hour requirements, CACREP mandates that the average number of individual or triadic clinical supervision hours each student must receive on site is 1 hour per week. Clinical supervision hours comprise an essential component of the Practicum and Internship experience, and it is the Site Supervisor s responsibility to be available at times that are mutually agreed upon with the Practicum/Internship student. It is the student's responsibility to ensure compliance with these obligatory training functions. Practicum students also receive individual or triadic and group supervision on a regular basis provided by a Mental Health Counseling Program faculty supervisor. Each semester, practicum and Internship students must enroll in and attend a campus-based class (i.e. EDPC 5371 Practicum, EDPC 5372 Internship I, or EDPC 5372 Internship II) which provides a group supervision seminar experience for an average of at least one and one-half hours per week of supervision. This class runs concurrently with the site placement during the Practicum semester and the two consecutive Internship semesters. The class instructor functions as the group supervision supervisor and assigns the grade earned by the Practicum/Internship student. The student is graded on a Satisfactory- Unsatisfactory basis and must earn a grade of Satisfactory in EDPC 5371 to be allowed to advance to EDPC 5372 and then must earn a grade of Satisfactory in EDPC 5372 to be allowed to advance to EDPC 5373. The student must successfully pass all three courses to graduate from the Mental Health Counseling Program. III. Practicum/Internship Agency and Site Supervisor Guidelines As summarized in the Student Practicum/Internship Placement Agreement, the responsibilities pertaining to the site/agency and the Site Supervisor are as follows: 1. To provide on-site individual or triadic supervision to the student for a minimum of one hour per week during the specified period of the practicum/internship placement at the site. 2. To provide a site supervisor who meets the Mental Health Counseling Program s requirement for supervisors. Criteria for supervisors include a master's (or doctoral) degree in Mental Health Counseling or a related field (e.g., counseling, social work, psychology) a minimum of two years relevant professional counseling experience following completion of the master s degree, and training /experience in counselor supervision. 3. For supervisors without the requisite supervisor training in 2 above, the agency is asked to support the Site Supervisor s attendance at a 3 hour continuing 12

education supervision seminar provided by the Mental Health Counseling Program faculty. 4. To provide the student with sufficient, appropriate counseling clients to complete the clock hour requirements of the practicum (which includes 40 direct service hours) and/or internship (which includes 120 direct service hours per semester). 5. To provide suitable work space to conduct professional activities. 6. To permit the student to audio record selected counseling sessions for later review by counseling faculty supervisors in individual/triadic supervision and in the group supervision seminar at UTEP. Recordings will be permitted only when clients have signed written consent forms and all recordings will be erased/ destroyed at the conclusion of the Practicum or Internship period in which they are recorded. 7. The Site Supervisor should be available by phone or email to counseling faculty for regular (i.e. a minimum of once per term) consultation regarding the practicum/internship student's progress. The practicum/internship class supervisor or a designee of the Mental Health Counseling Program Clinical Coordinator will initiate contact with the Site Supervisor during the practicum/internship. If any problem arises with the student during the field placement, Site Supervisors are requested to contact the practicum/internship student's group supervision seminar class instructor to request a telephone conference or a site visit with the instructor and/or the Counseling Program Clinical Coordinator when warranted. 8. To provide timely and ongoing written evaluations of the student s performance to UTEP and to share those evaluations with the student. 9. The Site Supervisor should complete Clinical Mental Health Counseling Clinical Student Evaluation Form in a timely manner each semester as required by the Mental Health Counseling Program. Site Supervisors should review their evaluation forms with each individual supervisee. 10. It is the responsibility of the Site Supervisor to monitor and provide direct or indirect supervision for ALL CLINICAL WORK conducted at the agency/site. The Site Supervisor and the agency/site maintain legal and professional responsibility for all agency clients served by the Practicum/Internship student. 11. The Site Supervisor is to provide the Practicum/Internship student with each of the following: 1. Sufficient orientation to the site 2. Healthy professional working alliance/relationship 3. Sufficient clarity regarding agency/site expectations and objectives (i.e., workload, flexibility of hours, mandatory meetings, activities, etc.) 13

4. Frequent observation or close case review on all counseling sessions conducted by the student 5. Frequent constructive supervisory feedback 6. Facilitation of student professional growth and learning (i.e., case conceptualization, resources and specific information when necessary) 7. Facilitation of student interface with agency personnel and collateral sources when warranted 8. Opportunities to become familiar with a broad range of professional activities and resources which might include (but not be limited to) use of professional resources, appraisal instruments, attendance at agency clinical case conferences, in-service trainings, consultations, and access to computers, print media, or other communication technology typically available to clinical employees at the agency IV. Practicum/Internship University Faculty Responsibilities As outlined in the Student Practicum/Internship Placement Agreement the Mental Health Counseling Program assumes the following responsibilities: 1. To provide a Clinical Coordinator to collaborate in the student's training experience and to serve as a liaison for the agency 2. To provide and receive regular (i.e. a minimum of once per term) phone or email consultation with the agency and agency supervisors regarding the student s training 3. To provide a concurrent, group supervision seminar class to be held on campus during the specified period of the practicum/internship placement 4. To provide the student with a faculty supervisor for additional individual and/or triadic supervision during the practicum placement 5. To insure the student is covered by professional liability insurance 6. To insure the student has agreed to abide by the Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association, State laws and HIPAA regulations relevant to the counseling field 7. To offer counseling supervision training opportunities for site supervisors V. Practicum/Internship Selection of Field Placement Students will be oriented to the Practicum/Internship in person or electronically early in the semester preceding the semester they intend to enroll in EDPC 5371 Practicum. During this orientation, the Mental Health Counseling Program Clinical Coordinator 14

reviews the Application for Counseling Practicum form, site selection procedures and other core aspects of the Practicum/Internship experience. Student selection of Practicum/Internship sites will be done in consultation with the Clinical Coordinator, whose approval must be obtained before initiating any contact with a potential Practicum/Internship site. The Clinical Coordinator typically contacts potential sites to ascertain their willingness and availability to have a student at that site during the intended semester of Practicum. Students may apply and begin to interview at prospective Practicum sites after receiving approval to do so from the Clinical Coordinator. Students usually complete Practicum, Internship I, and Internship II training at the same site or agency. If a student wishes to remain at an approved Practicum site for the Internship, it is not necessary to obtain additional site approval, unless there would be significant changes in the site experience (e.g. a change in the Site Supervisor or counseling duties). However, students may, upon approval by the Clinical Coordinator, be permitted to complete Practicum and Internship placements at two different sites when this arrangement would be more tailored to meet specific program needs and/or a student s professional aspirations. Students may apply to complete their Practicum and/or Internship experience at a site in which they are currently employed. When this request is made, the Mental Health Counseling Program requires specific conditions as follows: 1. The student's place of employment is subject to evaluation by the Clinical Coordinator to ensure that it is an appropriate counseling setting for the Practicum/Internship field experience. 2. The student is required to obtain a Site Supervisor for Practicum/Internship who is NOT his/her current administrative supervisor. 3. The student is required to conduct work and to be exposed to counseling experiences that are not normally part of his/her regular employment duties, unless these employment duties began no more than 6 months preceding the start of the Practicum or Internship. Exceptions to this requirement can be made only with the permission of the Clinical Coordinator in consultation with Mental Health Counseling Program Coordinator. VI. Practicum/Internship Application, Documentation, and Evaluation Forms Clear and consistent documentation of the Practicum/Internship experience comprises a vital communication link between the agency/site and the Mental Health Counseling Program. Faculty and Site Supervisors are required to complete evaluation forms and record-keeping data throughout the period of the Practicum/Internship. Students must submit original hard copies (or an equivalent electronic copy as provided by the Mental 15

Health Counseling Program), of all forms that require a site supervisor signature to their group supervision seminar instructor. It is highly recommended that students always make and retain a photocopy in their personal files of any forms submitted to the Mental Health Counseling Program. Required forms and completion deadlines are delineated as follows: 1. UTEP Graduate School Degree Plan (Appendix A) 2. Application for Counseling Practicum Form (Appendix B) 3. Practicum/Internship Student Informed Consent Form (Appendix C) Any student applying for the Practicum/Internship must submit these 3 forms to the Clinical Coordinator for review and approval prior to enrollment in the EDPC 5371 Practicum course. Typically, these forms will be turned in approximately 3 months prior to the beginning of the semester for which the student applying to begin Practicum. The forms must be reviewed and on file before a student will be approved to begin the Practicum experience. 4. Practicum/Internship Student Agreement Form (Appendix D) 5. Student Practicum/Internship Placement Agreement Form (Appendix E) 6. Practicum/Internship Supervisor Credential Form (with attached Supervisor Resume) (Appendix F) These forms must be completed and signed by the appropriate parties (i.e. student and/or Site Supervisor (or appropriate agency representative)) after the student has been accepted by a site for the Practicum and/or Internship. A copy of each form should be given to the Site Supervisor and the original signed copy of each form is to be submitted to group supervision seminar class instructor on the first night of class following the student s initial meeting at the site with his/her site supervisor. The group supervision seminar class instructor will forward them to the Clinical Coordinator for filing. 7. Practicum/Internship Weekly Hours Log (Appendix G) This log is to be kept by the student and signed weekly by the student and the appropriate supervisors who met with the student that week. The form documents direct service and non-direct service hours (including site supervision hours) completed under the supervision of the Site Supervisor. In addition, campus supervision hours (i.e. group supervision seminar class hours and faculty supervision hours) are also recorded in this weekly log. This form is for record keeping purposes and should be kept by the student as back up documentation should such be needed to verify contact hours. It is not required to be submitted to the Mental Health Counseling Program unless requested by the program. 16

8. Semester Summary Hours Log for Practicum/Internship (Appendix H) This form is a summary statement of the Practicum/Internship Weekly Hours Log and is completed by the student at the end of the Practicum and each semester of Internship. This form requires the signature of the student and the Site Supervisor. It is submitted to the group supervision seminar class instructor who also signs the form and forwards it to the Clinical Coordinator for filing. 9. Practicum/Internship Supervision Hours Completion Form (Appendix I) This form is to be completed by the student and signed by the student, the Site Supervisor and the group supervision seminar instructor at the end of the Practicum semester and each semester of Internship. It is an additional verification of total hours completed and number of supervision hours completed which is often requested by credentialing and licensing bodies. 10. Clinical Mental Health Counseling Clinical Student Evaluation Form (Appendix J) This form is a comprehensive review of the student s demonstration of the applied knowledge, skills and practices competencies of a professional mental health counselor. The Site Supervisor and the Mental Health Counseling Program group supervision seminar class instructor are each expected to complete this form at the end of each semester. After reviewing this form with the student, the Site Supervisor will either submit the form electronically or give the signed form to the student to submit to the student s group supervision seminar class instructor who will forward both his/her evaluation and the Site Supervisor s evaluation to the Clinical Coordinator for filing. 11. Student Evaluations of Agency/Site and Agency/Site Supervisor Form (Appendix K) This form is completed by the student at the completion of each semester of Practicum/Internship. It is submitted to the group supervision seminar instructor who forwards it to the Clinical Coordinator for filing. 12. Student Evaluation of Faculty Supervisor and Group Supervision (Appendix L) This form is completed by the student at the completion of each semester of Practicum/Internship. It may be submitted to the group supervision seminar instructor who forwards it to the Clinical Coordinator for filing. However, if the student wishes, he/she may submit the form directly to the Clinical Coordinator. 17

VII. Practicum/Internship Student Responsibilities 1. Academic Coursework - It is the responsibility of each prospective and active Practicum/Internship student to meet in a timely manner the Mental Health Counseling Program s academic and clinical performance requirements as specified in the relevant syllabi for EDPC 5371 Practicum, EDPC 5372 Internship I and EDPC 5373 Internship II while enrolled in these courses. Students will be expected to complete various learning activities related to the application of clinical knowledge to the practice of mental health counseling (e.g. intake interviewing, case documentation, report writing, clinical assessment, treatment planning, counseling interventions, client advocacy, interagency consultation, etc.) and will be evaluated on their performance so as to offer feedback and learning opportunities to further develop these skills. 2. Professionalism - In addition, students will be expected to demonstrate a high degree of personal maturity, ethically sound performance and decision making, and exceptional professionalism in their relationships with fellow students, administrative and professional colleagues at their sites, Site Supervisors, university supervisors, public contacts, and their clients. Students are held accountable to the ethical standards of the counseling profession as identified in the Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA) http://www.counseling.org/docs/ethics/2014-aca-code-ofethics.pdf?sfvrsn=4 and the Code of Ethics of the American Mental Health Counselors Association http://www.amhca.org/assets/content/amhca_code_of_ethics_201 0_update_1-20-13_COVER.pdf. 3. Clinical Supervision - Supervision is a tutorial form of counselor training that enhances the professional functioning of the supervisee, monitors the quality of professional services offered to the clients that are seen by the supervisee, and provides the information necessary for the supervisor to serve as a gatekeeper for the counseling profession. It is simultaneously a forum for teaching/learning counseling skills, becoming aware of personal/professional biases and blind spots and developing a proactive habit of self-reflection, and for demonstrating clinical strengths and remediating areas of clinical weakness. As such, the clinical supervisor is in a unique position to assist supervisees to enrich the quality of their counseling. Students are expected to engage fully in the supervision process which can at first be anxiety provoking until a strong supervisory working relationship is established, but is usually extremely rewarding as the student realizes their professional growth through the supervision process. Full engagement in the supervision process entails attending all scheduled supervision sessions (on campus and at the site) timely preparation for supervision sessions, open and authentic discussion of skills, attitudes, and personal concerns over professional performance, and a willingness to be influenced by the supervision process so as to be prepared to meet the expectations of Mental Health Counseling Program s clinical training 18

requirements. 4. Student Role at the Agency/Site Placement - Practicum/Internship student site placements will vary in the nature of their purpose, scope, size, target population, client diversity, and specific function/role in the local community. Because of these agency variations, it is imperative that Practicum/Internship students receive a comprehensive orientation to the practices of the agency in which they are placed. The Practicum/Internship students request and attend to the specific expectations and objectives outlined for them by their agencies in general and by their Site Supervisors in particular. These expectations will be uniquely influenced by the nature of the agency and the professional expertise of the Site Supervisor. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that agency and Site Supervisor expectations are clearly communicated and understood. a. Students should adhere to all agency policies regarding dress, time of arrival and departure, agency paperwork and procedures, mandatory meetings, rules of privacy/confidentiality, office space usage, and so forth. b. Students should consider themselves as a "regular staff/employee" of their agency for the duration of their field work, and arrange their work schedule in accord with agency protocol and requirements. c. Students are expected to engage in a broad range of professional activities afforded them by their agency and/or Site Supervisor, but at a level commensurate with their education and clinical experience. d. Students work under the supervision of their Site Supervisors, and the agency and Site Supervisor maintain the final responsibility for clients assigned to their Practicum/Internship students, client terminations, transfers and referrals affecting those clients, and the overall disposition of each client case. All clinical decisions made by Practicum/Internship students must be done in consultation with the appropriate Site Supervisor. 5. Student Responsibility to Adhere on Site to Clinical Training Requirements Students have a responsibility to respond appropriately and ethically should it become apparent that any of the requirements of the Mental Health Counseling Program are not being met by the agency/site or the Site Supervisor. If the student is having difficulties with any of the required activities or any other problems or issues at site then he/she is directed to proceed as follows: a. Discuss the issue(s) with the Site Supervisor to seek solutions, clarity and resolution. b. If Step a. is not successful, the student is to inform his/her campus group supervision seminar class instructor of his/her concerns, who, if appropriate, will intervene in a timely and fitting manner. c. If no resolution can be agreed upon, the group supervision seminar class instructor is to notify the Clinical Coordinator for assistance and possible intervention. 19

It is imperative for all involved to seek to resolve issues that affect the student s ability to fulfill the Practicum and/or Internship requirements in as timely a manner as possible. VIII. Practicum/Internship Faculty Supervisor Responsibilities A vital component in clinical Practicum/ Internship training is the Mental Health Counseling Program faculty member who serves as the group supervision seminar class instructor. He/she meets with students on a regular and prescribed basis to provide clinical guidance and direction, to discuss and review audio recordings of work samples in individual/triadic supervision (Practicum) and in group supervision (Practicum, Internship I, and Internship II). The group supervision seminar class instructor s supervision responsibilities may be delineated as follows: 1. Set up regular one-to-one and/or triadic supervision with the student throughout the course of Practicum semester, and as needed during Internship. 2. Document and keep a brief record of supervision meetings and class activities. 3. Provide students with informal and/or formal/written evaluative feedback regarding their: a. Proficiency in developing counseling relationships, performing culturally competent counseling interventions, advocating for clients, and consulting with other professionals and systems b. Proficiency in performing intake interviews and mental status examinations, gathering biopsychosocial histories, assessing clinical information, documenting and reporting clinical information c. Proficiency in conceptualizing cases, developing treatment plans, applying evidenced based practices, strategies, and techniques and evaluating treatment outcomes for a variety of mental health issues 4. At the conclusion of each semester of Practicum/Internship the group supervision seminar class instructor will complete the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Clinical Student Evaluation Form as shown in Appendix J and will review their evaluation forms with each individual and/or group supervisee whom they supervised. All forms will be submitted to the Clinical Coordinator following review with the supervisee. 5. Serve as liaison to the Clinical Coordinator. In this role he/she will provide informal feedback regarding progress and/or problems concerning the Practicum/Internship student. 6. Attend any scheduled group supervision seminar class instructor meetings. In performing the duties described above, the group supervision seminar class instructor the plays a number of roles, including that of teacher and evaluator, counselor, and consultant. As teacher and evaluator group supervision seminar class instructor helps the student 20

to develop his/her basic counseling, diagnostic, and case conceptualization skills, as well as gain a more thorough ability to apply his/her theoretical underpinnings in treatment. The group supervision seminar class instructor provides a critical evaluation of the student s level of performance relative to his/her expected level of development and ensures that the student practices according to the ethics and standards expected of a counseling professional. As counselor the group supervision seminar class instructor facilitates the student s exploration of his/her self-awareness and emotional maturity, especially highlighting the impact of issues concerning transference and counter-transference with clients. In this role the group supervision seminar class instructor is responsible to help the student identify any needs for remediation and/or personal growth and will refer the student for counseling if indicated. As consultant the group supervision seminar class instructor enables the student to review clinical cases in light of professional and agency standards and discuss and review ethical/legal issues regarding clients and agencies. The group supervision seminar class instructor also may also provide a professional point of view that helps the student to crystallize his/her professional aspirations as he/she begins a career as a mental health professional. 21